OVERVIEW: This funder supports affordable housing, economic opportunity, small business development and initiatives to support a sustainable low-carbon economy.
IP TAKE: Wells Fargo does not take an major risks with its grantmaking, but it is somewhat accessible and allows grantseekers working in its areas of interest to complete a grant interest form during certain times of the year. With branches operating in 36 states, it may be worthwhile to reach out to local management for support. While this funder does not appear to accept traditional LOIs, it does offer a way to submit an interest in applying for a grant, as noted below. This funder otherwise takes a proactive approach to grantmaking that requires some patience in order to get on their funding radar.
PROFILE: Based in San Francisco, California, Wells Fargo is a banking and financial services corporation with headquarters across the U.S. and around the world. The company’s Community Giving program aims to “build[…] an inclusive, sustainable future for all” by supporting national and local efforts for economic opportunity, affordable housing, small business development and “equity-focused transition to a low-carbon economy.” Wells Fargo gives nationally and locally in areas where it does business. Support also stems from Employee Volunteerism and Giving programs.
Grants for Economic Development and Housing
Wells Fargo makes local and national grants in the following areas:
- Financial Health giving aims to create “pathways to economic advancement” for low-income people. Areas of specific interest include financial inclusion and literacy, debt reduction and savings programs. Grantees include Arkansas Asset Builders, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation and multiple chapters of the United Way.
- Wells Fargo’s largest giving area is Housing Affordability. Giving centers on “advancing racial equity to create a future where everyone in the U.S. can have a quality place to live.” Homeless shelters and services for the housing insecure are also priorities. Grantees include Tampa’s Housing and Education Alliance, the Housing and Opportunity Foundation of Kern in California, Housing and Neighborhood Development Services in Orange, New Jersey and Shelter Inc. of Concord California.
- The Small Business Growth focus area aims to create jobs by supporting “underserved small business owners” with capital, technical assistance and strategic support. Grants have gone to the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs in Atlanta and the Refugee Artisan Initiative in Seattle.
- The Sustainability grantmaking area works broadly to facilitate a smooth and equitable transition to a “low-carbon economy.” Grants target initiatives to mitigate the impacts of climate change and create “equitable, sustainable financial solutions.”
- While this funder may not have stated demographics in certain focus areas, 990s show an interest in LGBTQ causes, immigrant and refugees, women and girls, the arts, and other, related areas across all funding interests.
Other opportunities:
While this funder does not have a program dedicated to global security, it has given several grants that intersect with global security. In 2024, it granted $1.2 million in funding for global security. This area of funding occurs somewhat under the radar and does not have a distinct giving strategy.
Important Grant Details:
Wells Fargo does not conduct its grantmaking through a nonprofit foundation, so it is difficult to ascertain the amounts of its grants. Information on the company’s impact page, however, suggests that grant are awarded in hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars.
- Wells Fargo tends to support large, well-established organizations that facilitate homeownership, financial stability and opportunity for low-income underserved people everywhere in the U.S.
- After reviewing Wells Fargo’s guidelines and eligibility page, grantseekers may submit a grant interest form here.
- See the impact page for information about past grantmaking.
Wells Fargo’s Community Giving program does not provide a direct way to get in touch. Grantseekers may direct their questions to management at a local operation using the company’s branch locator.
PEOPLE:
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